CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
2194 Words
Chapter Forty-Five
Mathew sips the tea on the teacup and then glances at his father who’s silently sipping the tea on his cup as well.
‘What does he want? It’s been thirty minutes and he doesn’t utter any words?!’ his mind commented.
Mathew cleared his throat.
“Father, I’m glad for this unexpected visit of yours. However, I believe you have something you wanted to talk to me, please don’t hesitate to spill it, father,” he uttered and stared at him.
Nathaniel puts his cup gently on the table.
“Ah, as expected, my son is sharp,” his father answered and met his eyes, “I’m aware that you visited that thing last night, did it already catch you off guard Mathew?” he asks.
Mathew’s stare became cold.
“Father, I’m not into arguments today, and most of all, I don’t want to argue with you,” he replied as he lean his back on the chair, “Is that the only thing you wanted to say to me?” Mathew added never breaking the stare.
“Even your mother and sister tried their best to convince me to free that thing, too bad since that rope is a curse and since I’m the one who tied it on its hand, I’m the sole one who could untie it as well,” Nathaniel uttered and shrug his shoulder, “How about you Mathew? How will you convince me?” he asks as he rests his chin on his right palm.
Mathew didn’t respond.
“You wouldn’t? I thought that thing is dear to you?” Nathaniel asks.
“What do you want Father?” Mathew answered as his stare began to get sharper because of anger.
“Don’t provoke your father, Mathew, I’m warning you,” Nathaniel replied and smiled at him.
“I ask what do you want?” he asks again trying to stay as calm as possible.
“No, I should be the one who should ask you. Tell me, my son, what it is that you want from me right now?” his father ask as his smile faded while his stare became cold as well.
“We both know what I want at this moment, father,” he answered, “I want you to free Celine from that filthy dungeon,” Mathew continued to say.
Nathaniel chuckled.
“There, that wasn’t very hard to tell right?” his father uttered and smiled brightly, “Now, if you want me to free that thing, I have one condition Mathew…just one,” Nathaniel said.
Mathew just stared at him.
“Don’t look at me like I’m not someone you couldn’t trust Mathew, you betrayed me remember? I’m the victim here my son,” he said and smiled, “Don’t worry, your mother and sister took my condition, so it’s safe, no regrets ahead,” his father explained.
“Father, you’re sick,” Mathew uttered angrily.
“No I’m not, I assure you, Mathew, I’m still sane and perfectly fine,” Nathaniel answered, “If you wanted to give back its freedom then you should cooperate right? What kind of master are you to that thing? Well, that thing is a devil anyway, as her kind,” he said.
“Shut up father, if you can’t respect me as the emperor and as your son then at least be gentle with your words when it comes to her,” Mathew responded as his hazel eyes reflected extreme anger where the veins on his temple and neck were visible.
“Don’t make me the bad one here Mathew,” his father warned leveling Mathew’s dark aura.
“Just leave me alone if you don’t have anything good to say,” Mathew replied.
“I had and now you’re declining the offer,” Nathaniel answered.
“Didn’t you hear me? Get out,” he commanded to him.
Nathaniel’s jaw clenched in anger as he stood up.
“You disappoint me, Mathew,” he announced as he started to walk away from him.
“Don’t worry father, I’m disappointed with myself as well,” Mathew responded before his father exited the room.
It took him a few minutes before he composed himself once again.
“Lucas,” he called as he massage his temple.
The door opened as Lucas entered the office once again.
“Yes, your majesty?” Lucas answered.
“Tell the maids that my dinner will be outside at the gazebo near the lake,” he announced and stand from his seat, “Oh, I forgot, tell the maids as well that it’s a dinner for two,” he added.
“…Pardon your majesty?” Lucas asks.
“I’ll go and fetch Celine,” he answered.
Lucas didn’t question him anymore upon hearing his response.
“Then I will tell the maids immediately your majesty,” Lucas replied and bowed his head.
They exited the office and Mathew headed to the dungeon as he parted ways with Lucas.
His eyes were empty and his thoughts were in chaos and drowning him. Everything was messed to him, he never thought that he could reach the point where he felt that this place is not a home anymore.
But nothing is more painful and terrifying for him. He felt like he lost a father and he lost himself.
‘Was it because I came too late that everything I’m trying to protect is crumbling apart? Or was it because I’m not enough that I’m disappointing everyone?’ he thought bitterly.
He didn’t notice that he was already in front of the entrance of the dungeon. He only realizes it when the guards greeted him but he didn’t manage to respond to them.
He steps inside and the familiar darkness illuminated by lighted torches wasn’t enough to brighten up the whole place.
He continued to walk until he reaches her prison room, he saw Celine staring at the starless sky through a small window.
“Celine?” He called.
She glances at him with her usual blank expression.
“Finally it’s you,” she uttered as he saw her reaction soften.
He smiled.
‘At least not for her,' his inner self commented as his tense shoulder loosen up a bit.
He commanded the guards to open the door and unlock the chain on her feet.
“But your majesty the former emperor wouldn’t allow it,” the guard answered nervously.
“Are you questioning my decision? I am the current emperor, have you forgotten? Or perhaps you wanted to know what I could do?” Mathew warned.
The guard was terrified and immediately did what he commanded.
He walk towards her and carried her in a bridal way.
“Master I can walk,” she said.
“Hush, I’m not in the mood to argue,” he whispered to her.
After a few minutes of walking, soon they saw the lighted gazebo where they dance during the royal banquet.
Celine inhaled the chilly yet cleaned air as she roamed her eyes at her surroundings.
“It’s been a while,” she mumbled.
“I know, that’s why I took you out even for just a while,” he replied.
“But master, your father—”
“Don’t talk about him at this moment Celine, every time I heard his name it makes me want to run away with you right now,” Mathew uttered as a crease formed between his eyebrows again.
As they reach the gazebo Mathew assisted her as she sits on her chair while Mathew drag his chair close to her.
“You may leave us alone,” Mathew announced to the servants and then glance at Lucas.
“Yes your majesty,” they answered and walk away from them.
“I’ll help you since your hands are still tied,” he announced.
“But how about you?” Celine asks.
“Don’t worry, I will eat,” he answered and smile.
He took the utensils and feed her then after, he eats his food using the same utensils he used at her.
Celine was surprised by what she saw.
“Master, why are you using mine? Someone like you shouldn’t use the utensils from someone like me?” Celine said.
“Says who?” Mathew replied and shrug his shoulder as he continued to feed her and then eat his food after.
Celine didn’t respond as she tried to lift her tied hands and managed to gently poke his forehead with her slender finger.
“Master, are you okay?” she asks.
He swallowed the food he chew in his mouth but he never glance at her.
“I’ll be okay… right?” Mathew asks.
“Yes you will,” she answered.
“But, it’s still unsure,” he replied still not looking at her.
She stands up from sitting and walks towards him.
Suddenly he felt her embrace, scooping his head gently pulling it closer to her stomach.
She strokes his hair softly.
“It may be unsure but it will, soon,” she uttered, “Master it's fine, it's fine to be not strong for a little while,” she added.
He wrapped her arms around her waist and lifted his head to look at her while trying not to break her embrace.
“I’m sorry Celine,” Mathew said.
“Don’t be,” she replied still stroking his hair gently.
“No, don’t throw my apology away,” he responded, “I’m sorry for being a failure to you,” he uttered.
“Why would I accept that? You’re not a failure to me, never once and never will,” Celine responded.
“Then I’m sorry for the rest,” Mathew replied.
“Master, why are you like this? Are you having a hard time because of me again?” she asks.
“…No,” he answered.
“If it’s really heavy, it’s fine if you throw me away. I understand,” Celine whispered.
He laid his head comfortably like her stomach is his pillow without breaking the hug.
“It’s the other way around Celine,” he uttered, “I could throw away everything behind if it’s for you,” Mathew mumbled.
“Why?” she asks, “Why would you do that for me?” Celine added.
“…I’d tell you when I figure out,” Mathew said and smiled.
And when their dinner finished, Mathew brought back Celine to her prison room and went on his way not to his room but for that place.
His mind is fixed now.
He approaches the door and knock on it, he didn’t wait for a response and just opened the door.
“I knew you’d come,” his father uttered and smiled at him.
“Is your offer still open?” Mathew asks still standing in the doorway.
“Come in Mathew, I wouldn’t bite you,” Nathaniel uttered.
Mathew with a composed expression steps inside his office.
“Spill it now, I don’t want to waste time,” he said and eyed his father coldly.
“Ah, why are you in such a hurry?” he asks and chuckled, “Fine, I’ll tell you my condition Mathew, however, if you betrayed me once again, then perhaps I’ll disown you and your sister as my son and daughter and then file a divorce on your mother,” he added.
“You’re insane father, your mother died a long time ago, and that tragedy doesn’t link to me nor anyone else,” Mathew said.
“Hah! Stop babbling, you can’t understand because you’ve never been in my place! It’s easy for you to say because you never felt the hellish pain I’ve been through! Mathew, I’ve lost my mother at a very young age! My father was with me but he never did see me as his son but a scum who failed to protect his mother! Mathew, I was only twelve! I’m only a child back then!” he yelled in anger.
Mathew didn’t respond.
“Stop talking like you understand me,” he heard him say.
“We did, but now you’re pushing us all away father,” he answered.
“Silence! I don’t want to hear any of your futile lecture on me,” Nathaniel responded.
Another second of silence aroused between them.
“Just tell me your condition father,” Mathew uttered impatiently.
“Don’t worry it's simple Mathew if you’re desperate to free that devil, then I’m sure you’ll going to do it without a doubt,” he said and smiled.
“Just tell me,” Mathew replied.
“…I want you to throw away your feelings for her Mathew, throw it away, enough for you to no longer see how special she is for you,” his father declared.
Mathew was bewildered by his words.
He was in chaos, he felt like he was under a cold, dark, and starless night sky. It was a hopeless situation for him.
His father smiled.
“I’m waiting for your response Mathew,” he uttered, “I’m waiting,” he uttered back and rest his chin on his right palm.
- Writer
